From volunteering to impact — together, we can make a difference.
On 26 September 2026, PMI Chennai Chapter brought together 100+ PMICC members, families and volunteers at Marina Beach, Chennai, for an International Coastal Cleanup Drive in collaboration with the SWOT team.
What made the morning truly special was the spirit of collective participation. It was much more than a beach cleanup—it was a meaningful morning of community, fellowship, networking and social impact, bringing together PMI members, families, volunteers and local teams around a shared purpose: contributing to a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable coastal environment.
⭐ Connecting Project Management with Sustainable Impact
Coastal cleanup initiatives play an important role in creating environmental awareness, reducing marine pollution and protecting our coastal ecosystems. They also provide project professionals with an opportunity to apply the values we practice every day—collaboration, stakeholder engagement, planning, execution, teamwork and community participation—to create meaningful impact beyond the workplace.
The initiative aligns with PMI’s commitment to social impact and sustainability and connects meaningfully with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs):
★ SDG 14 – Life Below Water: Supporting cleaner oceans and contributing to the reduction of marine pollution.
★ SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Contributing towards cleaner, healthier and more sustainable communities.
★ SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Promoting awareness of waste reduction and responsible waste management.
★ SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Bringing together volunteers, community groups and local teams to create collective impact.
For PMICC, this initiative represents how project management can be a catalyst for positive change, connecting professional capabilities with purpose, sustainability and community impact.
⭐ A Morning of Connection, Learning and Appreciation
A special appreciation to Satya Narayanan Sir for inaugurating the event and addressing the PMICC members.
The morning began with introductions and an event briefing, followed by meaningful interactions with Beach Guards, beach-cleaning workers and representatives from other NGOs involved in environmental initiatives.
These interactions provided an opportunity to recognize and better understand the continuous efforts of the local teams who work every day to keep our surroundings clean and contribute to the well-being of our city.
We were also delighted to hear from PMICC members about their PMI journey, volunteering experiences and years of association with the Chapter, adding a strong sense of connection and fellowship to the morning.
A special mention to Sivaram ji, who has consistently participated in the Coastal Cleanup for the past three years. His continued commitment and enthusiasm truly reflect the spirit of volunteering and serve as an inspiration for others to contribute.
⭐ Celebrating PMICC Leadership and Volunteer Contributions
Our senior members Aparna Granthi and Priya Karthick shared their WEC and other Chapter volunteering experiences.
The PMICC portfolio leaders also shared updates and perspectives from their respective areas:
★ Dinesh Babu – VP, Programs
★ Vijaykumar VK – AVP, Programs
★ Magesh Rajagopalan – AVP, Technology
★ Srivikram – AVP, Outreach
★ Latha – AVP, WEC
⭐ Krishnakumar Kesavan – VP, Social Impact, and Victor – AVP, Social Impact, highlighted the various Social Impact initiatives undertaken by PMICC and the continued efforts of the Chapter towards creating meaningful community impact.
⭐ A Meaningful Contribution to the Marina Community
A heartfelt appreciation to Swapna Rama Rao, who generously brought a large quantity of dress materials and household items to be donated to the Marina cleaning workers.
Her thoughtful contribution added another meaningful dimension to the initiative and demonstrated how individual acts of generosity can strengthen the impact of a collective community effort.
⭐ Appreciation to Every Volunteer
The event concluded with a heartfelt Thank You Note from Krishnakumar Kesavan, VP – Social Impact, expressing sincere appreciation to everyone who contributed to making the initiative meaningful and successful.
Special appreciation goes to:
★ The volunteers who supported the event calling and mobilization efforts.
★ The event-day volunteers who supported coordination and execution.
★ Long-standing PMICC members who continue to actively contribute to Chapter initiatives.
★ Families, members and every volunteer who took the time to join and participate.
Every contribution—big or small—played an important role in making the morning memorable.
⭐ Proud to Be Part of the PMI Community
Events like the Coastal Cleanup Drive remind us that projects are not only about delivering outcomes—they are also about creating lasting value for people, communities and the planet.
The Marina Beach Coastal Cleanup was a wonderful reflection of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared purpose. Every volunteer, every contribution and every interaction added value to the experience.
For PMICC, initiatives such as these demonstrate the power of combining project management skills, volunteerism and social responsibility to create meaningful and sustainable impact.
⭐ Let us continue to turn our collective project management skills, time and passion into purposeful action—creating positive change for our communities and a more sustainable future.
Proud to be part of the PMI Community.